Muses: A Baroque Underwater Orchestration

At first glance, we frowned in confusion, then looked away, did a double take then squinted hard as we tried to figure out if this was a painting or a photograph? – “Wow!” There is literally music coming out of this work; ominous chants evoking deep melancholia. It is no surprise to later find out that music is one of the influences for her body of work.

This is an experimental piece of photography by Christy Lee Rogers. This series, tiled Muses, is inspired by friends the artist has lost in the past – that explains the melancholia perhaps; alas, we were onto something. Muses is a rich painterly expression that borrows from 17th Century masterpieces with high contrasts and vibrant colours. It draws inspiration from Caravaggio, Rubens and a few other Baroque masters.

Rogers plays with light and orchestrates a dynamic symphony under water – and the results are breathtaking. The feeling of despair and loss comes right out of each image. The weight of the fabrics can be felt in the naturally strained motion of each figure, seemingly in a struggle to emerge from the water to regain their breath. The organic movement of each individual is quite evident, with complete vulnerability and potentially impaired senses for that brief period… and for us the sound of Pink Floyd’s operatic masterpiece; The Great Gig in the Sky.

Play the track above while browsing through the pictures below. Let us know if you share in the same emotive experience as we did when we first saw these images.